Feb 11, 2013

Al Franken hangs out and talks agriculture in St. Charles and Albert Lea, visits old school

Norm Coleman recently kvetched that Al Franken is seldom around in the state of Minnesota; Bluestem observed that the one-term wonder United States Senator probably doesn't read the same newspapers we do.

Farmers, residents and local leaders met with Sen. Al Franken
Saturday to discuss various agriculture issues during the legislator’s
visit to Albert Lea.

Franken discussed the farm bill issue in both
Albert Lea and St. Charles Saturday, though the talks also touched on
other agriculture issues like conservation and biodiesel. Franken said
he enjoyed that other topics came up and said he enjoys speaking with
constituents in informal settings.

“The reason I’m here today is to hear from you,” Franken said. “There’s very little that doesn’t impact people in rural areas.”

Read the rest at the Tribune. Franken took a side visit to the building where he once attended grade school:

But his visit to Albert Lea wasn’t all business — Franken also
visited the school where he went to kindergarten

But his visit to Albert Lea wasn’t all business — Franken also
visited the school where he went to kindergarten, which is now Abbott
Apartments. The building that’s more than a century old was formerly
Abbott Elementary School, where Franken attended kindergarten and part
of first grade before his family moved to St. Louis Park. Franken said
he has fond memories of the school.

Albert Lea-Freeborn County
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr said he appreciated
that Franken took the time to talk with Freeborn County residents about
farm issues.

“He was a good listener — it was a very good
meeting,” Kehr said. “The people in Freeborn County, it’s important he
hears what they have to say.

Photo: Franken goes back to his old school, now reused as an apartment building.

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